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Volkanovski is scheduled to defend his title in a rematch against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 on Jan. 31 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Many believe undefeated contenders Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy deserved a title shot over Lopes. Volkanovski also confirmed that he will most likely fight Evloev or Murphy if he gets past Lopes.
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Masvidal believes Volkanovski can’t beat Evloev and Murphy. While Volkanovski displayed great wrestling in his first failed lightweight title bid against Islam Makhachev, Masvidal believes Evloev’s wrestling is different. Masvidal also believes Murphy will be too much for Volkanovski with his technically sound striking and size advantage. If Volkanovski beats Evloev and Murphy, Masvidal will consider him amongst the greatest fighters of all time.
The Path to Greatness
“I don’t think Volk beats either of those two guys,” Masvidal said on the “Deathrow MMA” podcast. “I think Movsar will be too much with the wrestling in a different way. I know [Volk] did amazing against Islam with the wrestling, so that’s saying a lot…But I think Movsar has a different pace than Islam… I see Murphy right now getting Volk. Volk can’t control this guy. If Volk is able to take him down and hold him down, I’d be thoroughly surprised. And on the feet, this guy is way bigger, longer, crazy style of striking, explosive, and still very simple, he doesn’t do dumb things and get himself hurt… If Volk could pull this gauntlet off – greatest f—ing featherweight that ever lived, maybe fighter that ever lived. If he could beat those two dudes next, that’s interdimensional s—t, another level of greatness.”
Volkanovski (27-4) won the featherweight title for the first time against Max Holloway in 2019 and defended it five times while making two failed lightweight title bids against Makhachev. Volkanovski lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria following his second loss to Makhachev. After Topuria moved up to lightweight, Volkanovski won the vacant featherweight title against Lopes (27-7) last year.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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